Key Highlights
- Visit the Notre-Dame Basilica, the first church in Canada built in the Gothic Revival style. The inside is amazing and there is so much history here.
- Walk around Old Montreal. This spot is the start of the city. You get to see a mix of old charm and a lively mood.
- Go up to Mount Royal Park for some great views. The park is right in the heart of downtown Montreal.
- See St. Joseph’s Oratory, a well-known spot for visitors with a wonderful building design.
- Experience art and culture at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. You can see work by Rembrandt and many others here.
- Walk through The Underground City. Here, you will find a special way to shop under the busy streets of Montreal.
Montreal, Canada, is a city famous for its mix of old-world beauty and new style. The city sits on a beautiful waterfront and draws people in with its special buildings, busy arts scene, and rich culture. There is a lot to see and do, from old sites to new places for fun. You can enjoy the busy Quartier des Spectacles or check out Gothic Revival buildings. Montreal has something good in store for every visitor. Get ready to find the top places to see in the city for 2025!
Top 10 Must-Visit Attractions in Montreal for 2025
Montreal has a lot to offer for people who want to see new things in 2025. The city mixes old places with green parks. You can find something for everyone here. There is the Notre-Dame Basilica, known for its tall spires and deep history. You do not want to miss the heart of downtown, where Mount Royal Park is right in the middle of it all. Walking on those scenic trails will give you a good look at the whole city.
Visit Old Montreal, which is the birthplace of Montreal. This part of the city brings you close to the old days with its charm and history. If you like art, science, or culture, make sure to go to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts or Space for Life. These spots show just how special this city can be. All these things make Montreal a place you will always remember.
1. Notre-Dame Basilica: A Masterpiece of Gothic Revival Architecture
Walking around the streets of old montreal, you will see the tall towers of the Notre-Dame Basilica. You can spot it right away because it stands out in this part of montreal. The church was finished in 1829. It was the first of its kind in canada, built in the Gothic Revival style. When you go inside, you will see stained-glass windows that show scenes from montreal’s past. Beautiful religious paintings catch the eye of every visitor.
This church is a big part of montreal and canada’s history. Some important events happened here, like the funerals of Prime Minister Pierre-Elliott Trudeau and Maurice Richard, the well-known hockey player. Even Pope John Paul II visited this special place.
You can join a 20-minute guided tour that is included with your visit. The tour shows you the detailed design, the sacristy, the galleries, and also the baptistry. You may want to go to mass or pick a longer guided tour if you want to learn more about the building. The Notre-Dame Basilica is not just for prayers—it is also a big part of old montreal’s story and allows you to connect with its history.
2. Exploring the Historic Charm of Old Montreal
Old Montreal is the oldest part of Montreal. This is the place where the city began in 1642. The area has both old and new things to see. You will find cobblestone streets and old buildings. They give the place a style that makes you think of Paris. Old Montreal is close to the lovely Old Port by the water.
When you walk in Old Montreal, you see vibrant cafes, small shops, and feel a lively spirit during the day. At night, the modern restaurants in this area serve great food and are busy with people out to enjoy themselves. In the winter, there is an event called Igloofest by the Old Port, where crowds gather for music and fun.
The Pointe-à-Callière Museum in Old Montreal is a must-see. It shows the city’s start using displays and old finds from long ago. Old Montreal is special. It mixes what is old and new, and there is always something happening. This spot should be at the top of your list when you visit.
3. The Panoramic Views from Mount Royal
Mount Royal Park is right in the heart of downtown Montreal. There is a lot of green space here to explore, and you can see great views of the city from many spots in the park. Frederick Law Olmsted, the same person who designed New York’s Central Park, made this place. He found a way to bring natural beauty and city life together in a special way.
You can hike up the trails to the well-known lookout spot. From there, you get a really good view of Montreal’s skyline. There’s a big cross at the top that adds meaning to the area. All through the year, people enjoy walking, playing, or just relaxing at different spots in the park.
One of the best things to do in Mount Royal Park is to join the tam-tams gatherings each Sunday when the weather is warm. The park comes to life with dancing, drumming, live shows, and lots of different street vendors. It feels like one big outdoor party everyone can enjoy. If you like going to lively parks in busy cities, Mount Royal Park in the heart of downtown Montreal might quickly become your favorite place.
4. St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal: A Place of Pilgrimage and Peace
Standing tall over Montreal, St. Joseph’s Oratory is a symbol of spiritual feeling and eye-catching construction. Its big green dome is the second tallest in the world, just after Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
People can go up the main stairs, look out over the city, then step inside to find a calm and peaceful place. The Oratory shows off a build in the Renaissance style, and the careful design inside amazes both pilgrims and visitors. There is a small chapel made by Brother André in 1904. It shows his work to help others and bring the city together.
This quiet spot has gardens, a museum with art displays, and tours that help you learn more. No matter if you want a religious visit or just want to relax in a quiet area, St. Joseph’s Oratory is a special thing to see on the west side of Mount Royal in Montreal.
5. Art and Culture at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is a special place in the city that you need to see. It has been around since 1860. This is the most-visited art museum in Canada, with over 41,000 works for people to enjoy. You will find paintings by top artists like Rembrandt, different sculptures, old objects from the past, and new, creative designs.
Inside, you get to see both old art and modern pieces coming together. The museum gives you many styles of art in one place. Travelling shows make sure there is always something new every time you visit, while the permanent displays have pieces from both classic and bold, new movements.
If you want more than just looking at paintings, this museum in Montreal has you covered. There the art mixes with music, film, and fashion, so every visit feels lively. Make sure to set aside a few hours, so you can take in all the one-of-a-kind displays and fun art ideas on show. You will get a good taste of both Montreal’s own artistic spirit and the big, wide world of art.
6. The Unique Experience of The Underground City
Stretching for 32 kilometers under the streets, The Underground City is one of the most interesting places in Montreal. Its official name is RÉSO. This big set of tunnels links together many shopping centers, subway stops, hotels, and places where people go to see art or music. It is all made to help people move around the heart of downtown Montreal.
When you walk through the Underground City, you will see over 2,000 stores and 17 museums. You can also find clubs, lots of places to eat, an ice hockey rink, and a theater. People shop here, get out of the cold, or look around at the sights in a different way. The Underground makes for a unique experience in the heart of downtown Montreal.
If you want to see one of Montreal’s best hidden places, you can easily get in from places like Sainte Catherine Street or from the metro. More than half a million people come each day, to see how work, play, and shopping all come together in the Underground City’s shining hubs.
7. Celebrations and Events at Place des Festivals
The Place des Festivals sits in the Quartier des Spectacles and is at the heart of downtown Montreal’s many events. This open-air square is made for big groups to come together. You can see big festivals here like the Montreal Jazz Festival and the Just for Laughs comedy series.
People visiting this spot will find Canada’s largest interactive fountain system here. There are also light towers that light up the whole area and help set an exciting mood. All year, the Place des Festivals brings in crowds with free music and all kinds of other events, making it the heart of downtown’s culture in Montreal.
After you enjoy the any of the celebrations or watch a show, you can eat at a restaurant nearby. You can also just sit back under the bright city lights. Come here to see why celebrations and events are such a big part of what makes this area of Canada so special.
8. Space for Life: Engaging with Nature and Science
Montreal’s Space for Life is a great place to be if you want to learn about both nature and space. The site has four interesting places: The Biodôme, Botanical Garden, Insectarium, and Planetarium. In these, you can find everything from the feeling of being in a rainforest to big star and sky shows.
You can walk into the Botanical Garden, where there are over 30 gardens and thousands of plants from many places. At the Biodôme, you see animals like penguins and lynx up close. Many people like to visit the Insectarium too, where you get to look at all sorts of wild bugs and insects.
You end your visit at the Planetarium, where pictures on the ceiling show things like the Northern Lights. It really makes you feel as if you are in space. With so much to do and see, Space for Life in Montreal is the place to go if you are looking to mix both science and nature.
9. Discovering History at the Pointe-à-Callière Museum
Located at the birthplace of Montreal, the Pointe-à-Callière Museum tells the long story of the city using new multimedia and archaeological displays. The museum opened on Montreal’s 350th birthday. It shows a timeline where you can see local First Nations cultures, the impact of British influences, and main events that shaped the city.
In the museum, you can find remains from old buildings, tools used by early settlers, and grave sites from different times. There are also traveling exhibits that look at Canadian topics, so the museum is a great place to learn more about Montreal.
It does not matter if you are really into history or just want to see something new. This museum gives you an interactive look at the city, going from the 14th century up to now. It is a spot many people want to visit at the birthplace of Montreal.
10. The Thrills of La Ronde Amusement Park
Looking for something fun to do in Montreal? La Ronde Amusement Park is the place for you. The park has 40 different rides. There is non-stop fun here for people of all ages. You can go for wild rollercoasters if you want some thrills. If you like it calm, try a ride on the carousel. There is something here for everyone.
The park also has many tasty food options, so you can grab a bite between rides and stay refreshed. You will find shops with all kinds of souvenirs to remember your day. Spend your time here, and you will get lots of joy, a way to relax, and plenty of thrills. The fun continues at night, too, with special events like fireworks that light up the sky and keep things exciting.
Families, couples looking for a nice time together, and groups of friends will all have a good time at La Ronde. It is a great place in Montreal for an adventure you will not forget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year to visit Montreal?
The best time to visit Montreal is in the spring, from March to May, or in autumn, from September to November. These months have nice weather and there are many things to do. You can walk through gardens with new flowers or have a good time at fall festivals. When you visit Montreal during these times, you get to enjoy the city at its best.
Are there tourist passes available for multiple attractions in Montreal?
Yes, Passeport MTL makes things easy because you get to see many places in Montreal with one pass. It covers museums and many other fun spots in the city. This is a good way to see more in Montreal and it also helps you save time and money when you come visit.